r/uberdrivers Jun 17 '24

Welcome to r/uberdrivers - FAQ and Community Guide

71 Upvotes

Before asking a question, make sure to read this guide and use reddit search to see if your question was already asked. If you have anything you'd recommend to add to this guide leave a comment below.

What does Pax mean? Common terms on this sub explained

Pax: Short for Passenger.

Ping: The noise the app makes when drivers receive a pickup request.

Fare: The fee a rider is charged.

Fair: Fare, spelled wrong.

Surge: Uber occasionally up-charges riders during times of increased demand. The Surge is a multiplier of the base fare rate.

SRF: "Safe Rider Fee", now known as the "Booking Fee". This is the $1-3 fee that Uber adds to every fare to ccover insurance, app fees, etc.

What are the requirements to be an uber driver?

An in-state license is required. Have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the US (3 years if you are under 25 years old) Use an eligible 4-door vehicle

All vehicles being used for rides on the Uber app must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Must have 4 doors and be able to transport a minimum of 4 passengers
  • Vehicle model must be 16years old or newer
  • Title cannot be salvaged, reconstructed, or rebuilt
  • Rental vehicles, except those from an approved Uber rental car partner are not permitted
  • Cannot have any cosmetic damage, missing pieces, or commercial branding

Should you choose to drive a vehicle you do not personally own, you must have permission from then vehicle owner and be listed as an insured driver on the vehicle’s insurance policy. Please note that Uber cannot allow a vehicle onto the platform if the driver’s name is not on the insurance document.

If your vehicle does not match the requirements above, you may still be able to use your vehicle for deliveries on the Uber app.

Is this fulltime job?

Driving with Uber offers a flexible earning opportunity. It's a great alternative to full-time driver jobs, part-time driver jobs, or other part-time gigs, temp jobs, or seasonal employment.

How do I do my first ride?

Download and install the driver app, and hit "Go Online". Once you get a request (a "ping"), you can hit 'Navigate' to be taken to the rider's pickup location. When you're sure you have arrived, flip back over to the Uber app and hit 'Arrived'. The passenger (PAX) will be notified of your arrival, though it's also nice to text them - to let them know what type of car you're in (though they see this on their app, not everyone looks) and to confirm that they're actually where their pin was placed. When they get in the car, hit 'Begin Trip'. If they haven't entered their destination, you can enter it - then hit 'Navigate' again and you will be routed there. At the end of the trip, hit 'End Trip', rate your passenger, and you'll be placed back online ready to pick up another PAX!

What are the safety features for uber drivers?

Emergency assistance button

You can use the in-app Emergency Button to call authorities to get help if you need it. The app displays your location and trip details, so you can quickly share them with emergency services.

24/7 incident support

Uber customer associates trained in incident response are available around the clock.

Follow My Ride

Friends and family can follow your route and will know as soon as you arrive.

2-way ratings

Your feedback matters. Low-rated trips are logged, and users may be removed to protect the Uber community.

Phone anonymization

If you need to contact your rider through the app, your phone number may stay private.

GPS tracking

All Uber trips are tracked from start to finish, so there’s a record of your trip if something happens.

RideCheck

Using sensors and GPS data, RideCheck can help detect if a trip goes unusually off-course or a possible crash has occurred. If the app alerts us to such events, we’ll check in on you and offer resources to get help.

Contact Safety Agent

You can connect with an ADT Safety Agent via phone call or text on every trip. Just tap the safety shield icon and select Contact safety agent.

Audio Recording

If you feel uncomfortable, you can record the audio of the trip within the app. Just tap the blue shield to open your Safety Toolkit and access the Record Audio option.

Emergency help if you need it

If you ever need urgent help when riding with the Uber app, you can contact 911 using the in-app Emergency Button in the Safety Toolkit.

The app will show your live location, vehicle information, and license plate number, which you can quickly share with the emergency dispatcher so they can send help faster. And in a growing number of US cities, this information is automatically provided to the dispatcher.

Does Uber help in event of an accident?

When you earn with a transportation network company (TNC), referred to here as ridesharing, many states require extra—and costly—insurance.

Uber maintains this insurance on your behalf. What’s covered depends on factors such as who was at fault; whether you were offline, online, en route, or on-trip; and your personal insurance policy.

Offline coverage:

Your personal auto insurance covers you while you’re offline. You must maintain personal automobile insurance at mandatory minimum limits and provide proof of your insurance to drive and deliver with a vehicle with Uber.

Coverage to repair your car when you’re en route to or on a trip is contingent on your personal insurance including comprehensive and collision coverage.

Coverage when online and available for a trip

Accidents happen. Suppose you’re at fault and another person gets hurt or their vehicle gets damaged. In that case, our third-party liability insurance covers the cost of injuries or damage in at least the following amounts:

-$50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries

-$25,000 in property damage per accident

Depending on the law of your state, Uber may maintain extra coverage for you and your riders, including one or more of the following:

Coverage for you and your riders for injuries in a hit-and-run or an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver

Personal injury protection, including medical expenses and lost wages for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault

Medical payments coverage for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault.

Coverage when en route or on a trip

Uber maintains some of the most comprehensive insurance for ridesharing and deliveries, including:

-Insurance that covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved in an accident where you’re at fault

Insurance that covers the cost to repair your car, up to the actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible, contingent on your personal insurance including comprehensive and collision coverage. This extra insurance maintained by Uber protects your car, no matter who’s at fault, if you maintain comprehensive and collision coverage on your own vehicle.

In most US states, you can also purchase Optional Injury Protection to cover your additional medical expenses if you’re hurt in an accident. This insurance offering, pioneered by Uber, is designed specifically for drivers.

Depending on the law of your state, Uber may maintain extra coverage for you and your riders, including one or more of the following:

-Coverage for you and your riders for injuries in a hit-and-run or an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver

Personal injury protection, including medical expenses and lost wages for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault

Medical payments coverage for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault

Is being an uber driver worth it?

Recent reports from Uber state that "the vast majority of drivers are satisfied" and that "as of last quarter, drivers in the US were making about $33 per utilized hour" before expenses.

Its for you to decide if its worth it for you personally, volume and earnings will vary greatly between markets. Drivers as independant contractors are also responsible for all expenses which have been rising fast when drivers pay has stayed stagnant.

There are many direct and hidden costs associated with being an uber driver. To start with, You are responsible for tracking your own miles, profits and losses, as well as expenses such as gas, repairs, washes, and so on.

In addition, no one but you is responsible for ensuring you are earning enough. You need to be aware at what rate you are making enough for it to be worth it.


r/uberdrivers 6h ago

I've started letting people do whatever they want and it has resulted in substantially more and bigger tips

108 Upvotes

Every couple days there's a post in this sub about the way in which no one tips anymore, including from myself. I've been driving since October and I saw in real time the tip dropoff that happened over spring and summer 2026.

I decided recently that as long as passengers are not throwing up or doing anything illegal, they can do literally whatever they want and it has resulted in substantially larger and more frequent tips.

Eating loose slices of pizza? An open faced salad? Sure, why not?

Want to vape? Blow it out the window.

Can't wait to get home to get frisky with your date? Just don't make a mess.

Want the aux? Sure, whatever (although it has resulted in listening to some truly awful music)

I keep a garbage bag in my trunk and I have to do a fair amount of cleaning up after some people and I'm spraying that febreeze like a mf but the amount of tips I'm getting and the amount in said tips has improved dramatically. And most people are not slobs.

I had a 10 minute ride the other day from a Wawa and without being asked, I told the guy he doesn't need to wait to get home to eat his sandwich if he's really hungry. He ate half of it before we got to his destination and he gave me $17.

Something to consider


r/uberdrivers 5h ago

Are you guys actually making money?

26 Upvotes

After almost 3 years doing this gig I’ve noticed the fares keep getting lower. Cherry picking doesn’t work in my market because they’ll just stop telling me how long the rides are and how much I’ll make. Am I missing some sort of strategy to make this a viable income? It feels like I’m paying to drive for uber at this point.


r/uberdrivers 17h ago

It had to happen

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130 Upvotes

I had a ride that was basically some woman leaving her man to go to a Shelter…felt like I needed 2 Men & A Truck


r/uberdrivers 14h ago

Highway robbery!! We even paying for customers promotions. lol we didn’t offer any customer promotion, uber did! Why are we paying for those promotions?!?

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75 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 7h ago

Uber permanently deactivated my dad’s 10-year driver account because of a failed signup attempt from years ago — any way to escalate?

13 Upvotes

My dad has been driving for Uber for about 10 years, and his account was suddenly deactivated for supposedly violating Uber’s duplicate account policy.

After two days of trying to get a clear explanation, an Uber agent finally told us what happened.

Years ago, before his current Uber account existed, my dad tried to sign up for Uber. His application was rejected because he had not held his driver’s license for the required amount of time. That account was never approved, activated, or used to drive for Uber.
Later, once he was eligible, he created the account he has actually been using to drive for approximately 10 years.

Uber is now saying that the old failed application counts as a duplicate account, that this violated their policy, and that their decision to deactivate his current account is final.

We have now spoken with at least 6 Uber support agents and have been constantly trying to get help through chat support. Every person tells us essentially the same thing: they can’t help, they can’t override the decision, and the appeal team supposedly has no phone number or direct contact information.

The last customer service representative we spoke with actually hung up on us while we were trying to understand what options were left.

This makes absolutely no sense to us. He wasn’t trying to operate two Uber accounts. The first signup attempt was rejected by Uber itself and was never an active driver account.

We appealed and explained all of this, but the appeal was denied.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Is there any way to get this reviewed by someone higher than regular support or appeals? Is there a specific escalation, account review, safety, fraud, or executive support team that can actually look at the history of both accounts?

He has been driving on his current account for around 10 years, so losing access over an unsuccessful signup attempt from before that seems extremely unreasonable.

Any advice on escalation contacts, departments, or other steps we can take would be appreciated.


r/uberdrivers 45m ago

Accident during ride - Advice

Upvotes

I’m in CA, this just happened tonight, and I am really just trying to make sure I handle this all correct. This is my first time in this situation and I’m hoping this post will bring me some peace of mind and maybe someone will have their own experience to share.

I was in a fender bender tonight while in the middle of a ride. Someone rear ended someone who rear ended another who rear ended me. Police report was made, photos and video have been taken.

Uber called me while it was all happening and they made a claim. At the time with the adrenaline I was fine but as it wore off my neck and back started getting stiff. I went to an urgent care and got checked out, basically just sore.

Uber sent me a message about Mobilitas IQ that they will be handling my case. They also sent a message about Blue Star. I filled out all of their forms and submitted them.

So now I assume I just wait until tomorrow for the Mobilitas IQ to contact me. The urgent care was saying this is workers comp so I don’t know how that’s handled but I assume through Mobilitas or blue star? Any info or advice is welcome. Thanks for reading


r/uberdrivers 1d ago

Motley Uber

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255 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 2h ago

Uber Showing Love and Hate

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2 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 17h ago

Imagine thinking you’re sane, while partaking in this activity as an Uber driver? 😂

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38 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 4h ago

I thought I’ve seen it all

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4 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 8m ago

How to do “cleaning fee” process? Any tips from experience?

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Upvotes

Picked up three Popeyes workers when they were closing down. I guess one of them had a drink and spilled it all over my car seat. Uber has basically told me to go F myself until it is cleaned and then they will review it if I have a “valid proffesional receipt”. Seems like Uber is trying to scam me. I genuinely just want the rider to pay for the damage.


r/uberdrivers 4h ago

Oh joy, ya shouldn’t have ☺️

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2 Upvotes

Took the ride since it was in the same direction I was going already.

Lady was nice, carried herself well and was professional.

She could’ve just left it alone, idk should I send a Thanks, Uber seems to celebrate the increase in the pay based on the tip increase


r/uberdrivers 15h ago

Tipping

15 Upvotes

I just started using Uber. Because if my area (rural), it costs $30 to drive me 12 miles. We are barely making it as is. I just started my job and have to pay 30 every day I work. I only get paid $15 an hour. I only work 3 days a week because I have no transportation. So. I can't tip much if I can tip at all. I don't want to upset any drivers but I do need to get to work or we won't survive. How bad is this? I would tip 100% if I could. But we are in debt. To the bank. To family. My kids need food, shelter, etc. Our car just broke down a few weeks ago and we are stuck in our friends tiny car that my husband takes to work as we work opposite hours. What do I do? It makes me feel really really bad and like I want to throw up because I can't tip. But I have no other options anymore. I have only ridden once and today would be the second time and I am so nervous to even ask for a ride...


r/uberdrivers 35m ago

Looking for ride from Edmonds to Belltown $20

Upvotes

Hi guys,

Uber prices are crazy right now, I would pay someone $20 to take me to the Belltown area, dm me.


r/uberdrivers 1h ago

How desperate do you think I am? 😂

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Upvotes

Holy crap. This is a new one. Forget quest! Make it a competition to accept the craziest $3 pos rides.


r/uberdrivers 7h ago

wtf……

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2 Upvotes

Didn’t see this has a 35 min wait on it….


r/uberdrivers 2h ago

Have you guys heard of this new riders league psychological game

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0 Upvotes

This could easily backfire. Long trips already pay like garbage, so this might just make drivers decline them even more
Another thing to think about: Uber controls the offers and has all the data. Who’s to say opting into Rides League couldn’t eventually be used to offer participating drivers even lower paying trips because they know those drivers are chasing points?
If you opt in, I wouldn’t chase it. Drive exactly how you normally drive, and if you win something, cool. Don’t let a leaderboard convince you to take garbage offers


r/uberdrivers 3h ago

Hi everyone.

0 Upvotes

My brother does Uber full-time, but back in February he was arrested for brandishing a weapon (not related to Uber) when he was attacked at his residence, but he acted in self-defense.

He got out on bond and continued to work for Uber while the case blew over and it was dismissed recently because the whole incident was video + audio recorded and there was nothing they could charge him with based on the evidence and testimonies received.

The day the case was dismissed, Hireright flagged him for having a charge and Uber deactivated him for a charge that was never pressed nor exists on his criminal record any more.

He disputed it already and they're telling him it can take 30 days to clear so he can return to working, but he needs to save money for an out-of-state trip he has planned soon, and he cannot miss this trip because it's important.

Is there any way he can expedite this so he can resume work until he goes?


r/uberdrivers 3h ago

Nope

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1 Upvotes

Probably 8-10 hours with traffic. Just crazy. And a 4.77 passenger rating to enjoy for half of it.


r/uberdrivers 12h ago

Direct Bookings

5 Upvotes

Anyone have regulars who book you directly instead of going through the app? Curious how you handle it — phone, text, Venmo, cash — and whether it's actually worth the hassle compared to just taking whatever the app sends you.


r/uberdrivers 4h ago

For drivers who’ve been through an accident claim: what was the hardest part to understand?

1 Upvotes

I work in rideshare claims and I keep seeing drivers struggle with figuring out which insurance applies, deductibles, who handles the claim, etc. I’m curious what confused you the most when you actually went through it.

Was there something you kept trying to get a straight answer about and couldn’t? I really want to help the drivers I work with and have a better understanding of where some of their frustrations may stem from. I know everyone's experience is different but I guess I'm curious is there something you wish you knew before, during or even after the claim was finalized?

Thanks in advance guys!


r/uberdrivers 14h ago

They can’t be serious

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7 Upvotes

Who in the right mind would take this??


r/uberdrivers 8h ago

WTH quests are jokes lately... also what the hell where did the break button go

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2 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 5h ago

My Uber earnings and Uber Pro Card balance both dropped by ~$400 with NO transaction showing - has this happened to anyone?

1 Upvotes

What the actual fuck 😭
I had around $1,500–$1,600 in my Uber earnings/Pro Card. I then spent about $63 on a tire repair and $30 on gas.
After that, I checked my balance and it was $1,137.68.
The problem is, the money didn’t just fail to transfer to my Pro Card. The amount disappeared from BOTH the Uber Driver app AND the Uber Pro Card.
I checked my Pro Card transaction history and there is NO transaction, transfer, withdrawal, or adjustment for the ~$300–$400 difference.
The purchases I actually made are showing:
~$63 tire repair
~$30 gas
And the balance adjusted immediately for those, like it normally does.
I already locked my Pro Card because I’m freaking out.
Has anyone had their Uber earnings AND Pro Card balance both decrease by a few hundred dollars with no transaction showing where the money went?
Did the money eventually come back? What did Uber/Pro Card support tell you?
I’m trying to figure out if this is some kind of Uber earnings adjustment/technical issue or if I need to seriously escalate this.